Image input/output apparatus, image input/output method and image processing system

ABSTRACT

In an image input/output apparatus which stores image data input from a reader unit into a hard disk and outputs the stored image data to a printer unit, an operation unit for setting an image processing content to be performed by the printer unit when the image data is input is disposed, the image processing content capable of being set by the operation unit is restricted according to the detection output of a structure of the printer unit, and it is previously selected whether or not the setting restriction of the image processing content is to be performed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image input/output apparatus, animage input/output method and an image processing system which input andoutput various image data through a storage medium.

2. Related Background Art

In connection with digitization of a copying machine in recent years, amultifunctional machine having plural functions has been put topractical use. In this machine, facsimile transmission and reception areperformed by using a scanner and a printer of the copying machine, andPDL (page description language) data from a computer or the like isexpanded (or decompressed) and printed out. Such the multifunctionalmachine is structured to be able to operate not only for a singlefunction such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a PDL printingfunction or the like, but also for plural functions. For example, themultifunctional machine can operate when a PDL expanded image isfacsimile transmitted. Further, it is structured that, if themultifunctional machine is connected to various apparatuses such as thecomputer and the like through a LAN (local area network), also such thecomputer and the like can use the functions of the multifunctionalmachine.

Further, in such the multifunctional machine, by sharing a controlprogram of a printer part with the copy function, the PDL printingfunction, a facsimile printing function and the like, and by sharing acontrol program of a reader part with the copy function, a facsimilereading function, a scanning function and the like, a capacity of thecontrol programs for realizing these functions can be reduced, wherebyit is possible to economically and simply realize a desired function.

Further, such the multifunctional machine includes an image storage unitsuch as a large-capacity hard disk, a semiconductor memory or the likefor storing image data. Thus, by inputting a read image transferred froma scanner, the PDL expanded image, a facsimile-received document and thelike into the image storage unit, and by repeatedly outputting orfacsimile-transmitting the stored images and documents to a printer, itis possible to perform effective image processing.

In the multifunctional machine which includes such the image storageunit, an image data input operation to store the read image from thescanner, the PDL expanded image, the facsimile-received document or thelike into this image storage unit and an image data output operation torepeatedly output or facsimile-transmit the stored image and/or documentto the printer can be performed at different time. Namely, it ispossible to store the image data into the image storage unit andthereafter read and output the stored data at arbitrary time.

However, after the input image data is stored into the image storageunit, if the body structure of the multifunctional machine is changedbecause option equipment is installed in or released from themultifunctional machine before the image data is output, it isimpossible to take adjustment between the body structure for the imageprocessing at the image data input time and the latest body structure,whereby an error state that desired image processing can not beperformed occurs. As a result, it is possible to cause the problem thatthe image output stops at that time and thus obstacle comes to followingimage output operations.

Further, at the time when the image data is input, only the imageprocessing function which is practicable by the multifunctional machineat that time can be set. In other words, even if option equipment whichhas a function which is practicable after the image data is input isadded, the image processing using such the function can not be set atthe image data input time. Therefore, for example, even if a userforesees the change of the body structure of the multifunctional machinebeforehand and thus wishes to submit a job which is supposed to bepracticable after the body structure of the machine is changed, he cannot submit (or input) such the job.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to enable, even if a bodystructure of a multifunctional machine is changed because optionequipment is installed in or released from the machine after input imagedata is stored into an image storage unit and before the stored imagedata is output, the multifunctional machine to output the image data ifnecessary.

Another object of the present invention is to enable, as to a functionwhich is practicable by adding option equipment or the like after imagedata is input, a multifunctional machine to set image processing usingsuch the function at the time when the image data is input.

Namely, the present invention is to provide an image input/outputapparatus comprising:

input means for inputting image data from at least one image input unit;

storage means for storing the image data input by the input means;

output means for outputting the image data stored in the storage meansto at least one image output unit;

setting means for setting an image processing content to be performed bythe image output unit when the image data is input by the input means;

detection means for detecting a structure of the image output unit;

restriction means for restricting the image processing content capableof being set by the setting means, in accordance with the detectionoutput of the detection means; and

selection means for previously selecting whether or not the settingrestriction of the image processing content is to be performed by therestriction means.

Further, the present invention is to provide an image input/outputapparatus comprising:

input means for inputting image data from at least one image input unit;

storage means for storing the image data input by the input means;

output means for outputting the image data stored in the storage meansto at least one image output unit;

setting means for setting an image processing content to be performed bythe image output unit when the image data is input by the input means;

detection means for detecting a structure of the image output unit whenthe image data is output by the output means; and

judgment means for judging whether the image processing content set bythe setting means is practicable or nonpracticable, according to thedetection output of the detection means,

wherein, when it is judged by the judgment means that the imageprocessing content set by the setting means is nonpracticable, the imageinput/output apparatus operates in a first mode to stop the imageprocessing of the image processing content judged to be nonpracticable,and in a second mode to change the image processing content judged to benonpracticable to another image processing content and then perform theimage processing.

Further, the present invention is to provide an image input/outputmethod for an image input/output apparatus which inputs image data fromat least one image input unit, stores the input image data into storagemeans, and outputs the image data stored in the storage means to atleast one image output unit, the method comprising:

a detection step of detecting a structure of the image output unit whenthe image data is input from the image input unit;

a setting step of setting an image processing content to be performed bythe image output unit when the image data is input from the image inputunit;

a restriction step of restricting the image processing content capableof being set in the setting step, in accordance with the detectionoutput of the detection step; and

a selection step of previously selecting whether or not the settingrestriction of the image processing content is to be performed in therestriction step.

Further, the present invention is to provide an image input/outputmethod for an image input/output apparatus which inputs image data fromat least one image input unit, stores the input image data into storagemeans, and outputs the image data stored in the storage means to atleast one image output unit, the method comprising:

a setting step of setting an image processing content to be performed bythe image output unit when the image data is input from the image inputunit;

a detection step of detecting a structure of the image output unit whenthe image data is output to the image output unit; and

a judgment step of judging whether the image processing content set inthe setting step is practicable or nonpracticable, according to thedetection output of the detection step,

wherein, when it is judged in the judgment step that the imageprocessing content set in the setting step is nonpracticable, the imageinput/output apparatus operates in a first mode to stop the imageprocessing of the image processing content judged to be nonpracticable,and in a second mode to change the image processing content judged to benonpracticable to another image processing content and then perform theimage processing.

Further, the present invention is to provide an image processing systemwhich stores image data input from at least one image input means intostorage means, and outputs the image data stored in the storage means toat least one image output means, the system comprising:

setting means for setting an image processing content to be performed bythe image output means when the image data is input from the image inputmeans;

detection means for detecting a structure of the image output means;

restriction means for restricting the image processing content capableof being set by the setting means, in accordance with the detectionoutput of the detection means; and

selection means for previously selecting whether or not the settingrestriction of the image processing content is to be performed by therestriction means.

Further, the present invention is to provide an image processing systemwhich stores image data input from at least one image input means intostorage means, and outputs the image data stored in the storage means toat least one image output means, the system comprising:

setting means for setting an image processing content to be performed bythe image output means when the image data is input from the inputmeans;

detection means for detecting a structure of the image output means whenthe image data is output to the output means; and

judgment means for judging whether the image processing content set bythe setting means is practicable or nonpracticable, according to thedetection output of the detection means,

wherein, when it is judged by the judgment means that the imageprocessing content set by the setting means is nonpracticable, the imageprocessing system operates in a first mode to stop the image processingof the image processing content judged to be nonpracticable, and in asecond mode to change the image processing content judged to benonpracticable to another image processing content and then perform theimage processing.

Other Objects and Features of the Present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image input/output controlapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a reader unit and a printer unit;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a core unit;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an image input job and an image outputjob;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a structural example of sessions;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of image input/output control;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of image input/output control;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an operation unit;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a display example on a touch panel of theoperation unit;

FIG. 10 is a view showing a display example on the touch panel of theoperation unit; and

FIG. 11 is a view showing structures of a session management table, ajob management table and a page management table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an image input/outputcontrol apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, a reader unit 1 photoelectrically reads an image on anoriginal by a CCD image sensor or the like, and outputs image datacorresponding to the original image to an image input/output controlunit 3. A printer unit 2 such as a laser beam printer records an imagecorresponding to the image data transferred from the control unit 3,onto a recording sheet. The control unit 3 is connected to the readerunit 1 and the printer unit 2, and composed of a facsimile unit 4, astorage unit 5, a computer I/F (interface) unit 7, an RIP (raster imageprocessor) unit 8, an operation unit 9, a core unit 10 and the like.

The facsimile unit 4 receives compressed image data through a telephoneline, decompresses the received data, and transfers the decompressedimage data to the core unit 10. Conversely, the facsimile unit 4compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10, andtransmits the compressed data through the telephone line. The image datareceived or to be transmitted can be temporarily stored in an HD (harddisk) 6 connected to the storage unit 5.

Since the storage unit 5 is connected with the HD 6, the storage unit 5compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and thenstores the compressed data into the HD 6 together with an ID(identification) number used to search the stored data. Further, thestorage unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the HD 6, onthe basis of code data transferred through the core unit 10. Then thestorage unit 5 reads the searched image data, decompresses the readdata, and transfers the decompressed data to the core unit 10. Since theHD 6 has a storage capacity of, e.g., 2 gigabytes, A4-size imagescorresponding to about 1000 pages can be stored in the HD 6 though itdepends on their contents.

Further, the storage unit 5 detects whether or not the HD 6 is connectedthere and whether or not the HD 6 is out of order, by writing, readingand checking command/response and predetermined data through a hard diskinterface.

The computer I/F unit 7 interfaces the core unit 10 with a PC/WS(personal computer or work station) 11. The I/F unit 7 may be connectedto the PC/WS 11 by a one-to-one local interface or may be connectedthere by a network.

The RIP unit 8 expands or decompresses code data (PDL (page descriptionlanguage)) representing an image transferred from the PC/WS 11 into theimage data recordable by the printer unit 2.

The operation unit 9 includes a touch panel display and hard keybuttons.The operation unit 9 is used to instruct and/or set various operationsof the image input/output control apparatus through user interface.

Although the details of the core unit 10 will be described later, thecore unit 10 controls data flows among the reader unit 1, the printerunit 2, the facsimile unit 4, the storage unit 5, the computer I/F unit7, the RIP unit 8 and the operation unit 9.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the reader unit 1 and the printerunit 2. Plural originals are set by a user at a predetermined stackingposition of an original feed unit 101 of the reader unit 1. The feedunit 101 feeds these original one by one from their first page in dueorder, onto a platen glass 102. After an original reading operationends, the feed unit 101 discharges the original on the platen glass 102to a predetermined discharge position. When the original is fed onto theplaten glass 102, a lamp 103 is lit, and movement of a scanner unit 104is started, whereby the original is exposed and scanned. Reflectionlight from the original at this time is guided into a CCD image sensor(simply referred as CCD hereinafter) 109 through mirrors 105, 106 and107 and a lens 108. Thus, the image of the scanned original isphotoelectrically converted and read by the CCD 109. Image data outputfrom the CCD 109 is subjected to predetermined processing such as A/D(analog-to-digital) conversion, shading correction, desired editingprocessing and the like, and then the processed image data istransferred to the core unit 10 of the image input/output control unit3.

A laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 causes a laser beam generationunit 201 to generate a laser beam according to the image data outputfrom the core unit 10 of the image input/output control unit 3. Thegenerated laser beam is irradiated onto a photosensitive drum 202, and alatent image according to the laser beam is formed on the drum 202. Thena developer is adhered by a development unit 203 to the latent imageportion of the photosensitive drum 202.

A recording sheet is fed from either a cassette 204 or a cassette 205and carried to a transfer unit 206 at timing which is synchronous withstart of the laser beam irradiation. Thus, the developer adhered on thephotosensitive drum 202 is transferred onto the recording sheet. Therecording sheet onto which the developer was transferred is carried to afixing unit 207, and the developer is heated and pressed by the fixingunit 207, whereby the developer is fixed to the recording sheet. Therecording sheet passed the fixing unit 207 is discharged outwardly. Iftwo-face recording has been set, after the recording sheet subjected toone-face recording is carried up to the discharge rollers 208, arotational direction of each roller 208 is reversed, and thus the sheetis guided to a sheet refeed carrying path 210 by a flapper 209. Therecording sheet guided to the path 210 is again fed to the transfer unit206 at the above-described timing, whereby image recording on the otherface is performed.

Numeral 220 denotes a finisher which is installed as an option ifnecessary, and numeral 226 denotes a Z folding unit which is installed(or connected) between the printer unit 2 and the finisher 220 ifnecessary. When the Z folding unit 226 is being installed, if it isinstructed by the user to perform Z folding processing, the recordingsheet discharged from the discharge rollers 208 of the printer unit 2 iscarried to the Z folding unit 226, whereby the recording sheet issubjected to the Z folding processing. It should be noted that the Zfolding processing is the processing to valley-shape fold, e.g., anA3-size recording sheet in half and then mountain-shape fold the half ofthe valley-shape folded sheet. Thus, for example, it is possible tointegrate the document including A4-size sheets and A3-size sheets intothe document including only A4-size sheets and perform bindingprocessing such as stapling or the like.

Further, when the finisher 220 is being installed, the recording sheetdischarged by the discharge rollers 208 of the printer unit 2 is guidedinto the finisher 220. When the finisher 220 and the Z folding unit 226are being installed, the recording sheet discharged by the Z foldingunit 226 is guided into the finisher 220. In accordance with user'sinstructions, the finisher 220 sorts the plural discharged recordingsheets by sheafing them, and staples the sorted sheets together by usinga stapler 224. Further, a saddle stitcher 225 stitches the center of thesheaf of sheets and folds the stitched center in half, whereby theplural recording sheets are subjected to book binding processing. Aninserter 222 is detachably installed on the finisher 220 and has aninsertion aperture. When sheets not passed the printer unit 2 arecombined with the sheets discharged from the printer unit 2 and thecombined sheets are subjected to the book binding processing and thestapling, the insertion aperture is used to supply the sheets to becombined into the finisher 220. Thus, for example, it is possible toperform processing to bind a recording sheet previously subjected toprinting, as the cover of the recording sheets discharged from theprinter unit 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the core unit 10.

The image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to a dataprocessing unit 121 through an I/F (interface) 122. The processing unit121 which performs image processing (e.g., image rotation processing,magnification change processing) and compression/decompression of theimage data has a page memory 125 capable of storing image datacorresponding to, e.g., images of A4/letter size and 4 pages. The imagedata transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121is temporarily stored in the page memory 125, and then compressed andtransferred to the storage unit 5 through an I/F 120.

The code data (PDL) representing the image input through the computerI/F unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 through theI/F 120, and further transferred to the RIP unit 8 to be expanded intothe image data. The obtained image data is transferred to the processingunit 121, temporarily stored into the page memory 125, and thencompressed and transferred to the storage unit 5.

The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the dataprocessing unit 121, temporarily stored into the page memory 125, andthen compressed and further transferred to the storage unit 5.

After the image data from the storage unit 5 is transferred to the dataprocessing unit 121, the image data is decompressed and temporarilystored into the page memory 125. Then the image data is transferred tothe printer unit 2, the facsimile unit 4 and/or the computer I/F unit 7.

After various image data is input to the data processing unit 121 andtemporarily stored into the page memory 125, it is possible by changingan internal selector to transfer the stored image data to the printerunit 2, the facsimile unit 4 and/or the computer I/F unit 7 before thestored data is transferred to the storage unit 5.

A CPU (central processing unit) 123 controls the above-described variousoperations in accordance with control programs stored in a memory 124and control commands transferred from the operation unit 9. Also, thememory 124 is used as an working area of the CPU 123.

Thus, around the core unit 10, it is possible through the dataprocessing unit 121 and the storage unit 5 to perform the processing inwhich various functions as to original image reading, image printing,image transmission, image reception, image storage, data input/outputfrom/to a computer and the like are combined with others.

Next, job control performed by the CPU 123 of the core unit 10 in theimage input/output control apparatus of the present embodiment will beexplained with reference to FIG. 4. First, a case where the HD 6normally operates will be explained by way of example. Incidentally,FIG. 4 logically shows unit of job control.

The unit of job control corresponds to a series of input and outputprocessing for a group of the image data including the plural pages.Roughly, an image input job and an image output job are the jobs to becontrolled by the job control of one unit.

The image input job includes an image input job 411 to sequentiallyrecord the image data read by the reader unit 1 into the storage unit 5,an image input job 412 to sequentially record the image data expanded ordecompressed by the RIP unit 8 into the storage unit 5, an image inputjob 413 to sequentially record the image data received by a facsimileunit 4-1 into the storage unit 5, and an image input job 414 tosequentially record the image data input from a computer I/F unit 7-1into the storage unit 5.

The image output job includes an image output job 401 to sequentiallyoutput the image data read from the storage unit 5 to the printer unit2, an image output job 403 to sequentially output the image data readfrom the storage unit 5 to a facsimile unit 4-2, and an image output job404 to sequentially output the image data read from the storage unit 5to a computer I/F unit 7-2.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the unit (referred as session hereinafter)which is given by combining the plural jobs with others.

In FIG. 5, numeral 501 denotes a PDL print session in which the imageinput job 412 and the image output job 401 are combined with each otherand controlled as the session. Numeral 502 denotes a copy session inwhich the image input job 411 and the image output job 401 are combinedwith each other and controlled as the session. Numeral 503 denotes afacsimile transmission session in which the image input job 411 and theimage output job 403 are combined with each other and controlled as thesession. Numeral 504 denotes a facsimile reception session in which theimage input job 413 and the image output job 401 are combined with eachother and controlled as the session. Numeral 505 denotes a scan sessionin which the image input job 411 and the image output job 404 arecombined with each other and controlled as the session.

The session represents the unit of control which includes one or morejob. Therefore, in addition to the example shown in FIG. 5, for example,the image input job 412 may be handled as one session, the image outputjob 401 may be handled as one session, or the combination of the imageinput job 412 and the image output jobs 401 and 403 may be handled asone session.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing procedures of a session control task andan image input job control task to be executed by the CPU 123 in thecore unit 10 of the image input/output control apparatus when the HD 6normally operates. In FIG. 6, numerals S601, S602, S603, S604, S605,S606, S607, S608, S609, S610 and S611 respectively denote steps.Further, the session control task and the image input job control taskare in multitasking relation.

As a first example of the session control task and the job control task,the control procedure of the image input job 412 constituting the PDLprint session 501 of FIG. 5 will be explained with reference to FIG. 6.

First, in the step S601, it is judged based on a user's instructionwhether or not an operation keybutton of the PS/WS 11 for the functioncurrently not installed in the apparatus is to be disabled. If theoperation keybutton is not disabled and it is newly instructed todisable the keybutton, setting to disable the corresponding keybutton isperformed in the step S602. Thus, the setting is changed. Conversely, ifthe operation keybutton has been disabled and it is newly instructed torelease the disablement of the keybutton, the disablement of thekeybutton is released in the step S611, and then the flow advances tothe step S603.

If there is no user's instruction to set or release the disablement ofthe keybutton, the flow advances to the step S603 with the previoussetting.

In the step S603, a body structure of the apparatus is detected toobtain installation information of the currently installed input/outputoptions (e.g., finisher 220, z folding unit 226, puncher 223, etc.). Theobtained information concerning the body structure is recorded into alater-described job management table for managing the image input job.

In the step S604, it is judged whether or not the setting to disable theoperation keybutton of the PS/WS 11 for the function currently notinstalled in the apparatus is performed. If judged that the setting isperformed, the flow advances to the step S605 to perform the disablementprocessing. Conversely, if judged that the setting is not performed, theflow skips over the step S605 and advances to the step S606.

In the step S606, a print condition set by the user on the PC/WS 11 isaccepted. The print condition to be set includes the number of pages,the number of prints, an original size, a sheet size, amagnification/reduction rate, one-face/two-face printing, a layout, pageoutput order, a sort mode, stapling and the like. In this case, it isassumed that following print condition (i.e., parameters) has been setin an example.

the number of pages: 20 pages . . . (P1)

the number of prints: 10 prints . . . (P2)

one-face printing: yes . . . (P3)

original size: A4 . . . (P4)

sheet size: A4 . . . (P5)

magnification/reduction rate: 100% . . . (P6)

layout: no . . . (P7)

page output order: ascending order . . . (P8)

sort mode: yes . . . (P9)

stapling: yes . . . (P10)

Here, for example, it is assumed a case where the puncher 223 is notcurrently installed. In this case, if the disablement processing for theoperation keybutton is performed in the step S605, the screen displayedon the display unit of the PC/WS 11 is as shown in FIG. 9. Conversely,if the disablement processing is not performed, the screen displayed isas shown in FIG. 10. Namely, in the state of FIG. 9, the enabledoperation keybuttons are shown by the outline characters on the coloredbackground. Therefore, since an operation keybutton 901 for instructingpunching processing is not shown by the outline characters, this screenindicates the state that the operation keybutton 901 is disabled,whereby it is impossible to depress the keybutton 901. Conversely, inthe state of FIG. 10, an operation keybutton 1001 is displayed at aslightly low density. This screen indicates the state that, even if thepuncher 223 is not currently installed, the setting for the punchingprocessing is possible by using the operation keybutton 1001.

In the explanation of this operation example, the setting not to disablethe keybutton on the PC/WS 11 is performed whether the puncher 223 iscurrently installed. Therefore, it is assumed that the setting for thepunching processing is performed on the screen shown in FIG. 10 whetherthe puncher 223 is currently installed.

For this reason, in addition to the above-described print parameters(P1) to (P10), a parameter (P11) indicating whether or not the punchingprocessing is to be performed is set as follows.

punching: yes . . . (P11)

After the above-described print setting, the user issues a printinstruction on the PC/WS 11. Simultaneously, target document data isconverted into so-called PDL data by driver software installed in thePC/WS 11. Then the obtained PDL data, together with the print settingparameters (P1) to (P11), is transferred to the computer I/F unit 7 ofthe image input/output control apparatus through a computer interfaceconnected to the PC/WS 11.

After the PDL data representing the image input through the computer I/Funit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, the PDL data istransferred to the RIP unit 8 and sequentially expanded (or rasterized)into the image data. When the RIP unit 8 starts to receive the PDL data,the RIP unit 8 issues a processing request to the core unit 10, and theCPU 123 of the core unit 10 receives the issued processing request. Herethe print setting parameters (P1) to (P11) set by the user are alsotransferred to the CPU 123.

In the step S607, the core unit 10 divides an image processing functionof one unit according to the processing request from the RIP unit 8 intoat least one image input job or one image output job. Then, in the coreunit 10, the session constituted by the image input job or theimage-output job is generated and managed. Namely, when the session isgenerated, the session management table is formed on the memory 124 tohold various information until the session ends.

FIG. 11 shows a session management table 1100. A session ID field 1101is to generate a unique session ID in the image input/output controlapparatus and hold it. A session type field 1102 is to specify a type ofthe generated session (PDL print session, copy session, facsimiletransmission session, facsimile reception session, scan session or thelike). In this operation example, the field 1102 specifies and recordsthe PDL print session. A session priority order field 1103 is to holdpriority of processing order of the session. A session status field 1104is to hold an execution state of the session (executable state,execution state, interruption state, end state, error state, or thelike) according to the state. A link job number field 1105 is to holdthe number of the image input jobs and/or the image output jobs whichtogether constitute the session. In this operation example, since thePDL print session 501 is constituted by the two jobs, i.e., the imageinput job 412 and the image output job 401, as shown in FIG. 5, thenumber “2” is set to the link job number field 1105. A first job pointerfield 1106 is the pointer for a job management table 1110 of the imageinput job 412. A second job pointer field 1107 is the pointer for a jobmanagement table 1130 of the image output job 401. There are preparedthe job pointer fields of which number corresponds to the number of jobswhich together constitute the session. Also, there are formed the jobmanagement tables of which number corresponds to the number of jobswhich together constitute the session.

In the step S608, the job management table 1110 of the image input job412 shown in FIG. 11 is formed on the memory 124 to hold variousinformation until the job ends.

In the job management table 1110, a job ID field 1111 is to generate aunique job ID in the image input/output control apparatus and hold it. Ajob type field 1112 is to specify a type of the generated job(above-described image input job and image output job). In thisoperation example, the job type field 1112 specifies and records theimage input job 412 which is to sequentially record the image dataexpanded or decompressed by the RIP unit 8 into the storage unit 5. Ajob priority order field 1113 is to hold priority of job processingorder. A job status field 1114 is to hold an execution state of the job(executable state, execution state, interruption state, end state, errorstate, or the like) according to the state. A page number field 1115 isto hold the number of pages of the job. A page pointer field 1116 is thepointer for a page management table 1120 in which detailed informationof each page managed by the job has been written. The page managementtable 1120 is recorded on the HD 6.

A job parameter field 1117 is to hold various setting parameters of thejob. In this operation example, the contents of the print settingparameters (P1) to (P11) accepted in the step S606 are held. Also, theapparatus information obtained in the step S603 is recorded into the jobparameter field 1117.

After the job management table 1110 of the above-described image inputjob is formed, the session control task starts the image input jobcontrol task.

In the step S609, processing of the generated image input job (i.e., theimage input job 412 in the PDL print session 501 in this operationexample) starts. Namely, the session control task instructs the imageinput job control task to start the job.

When the image input job control task receives the job start instructionfrom the session control task, it starts the instructed job if anotherimage input job is not performed and a new image input job isacceptable.

In the image input job 412 of the PDL print session 501 according tothis operation example, the one-page image data expanded by the RIP unit8 is first received. Namely, the image data is transferred from the RIPunit 8 to the data processing unit 121 through the I/F 120. The imagedata transferred to the data processing unit 121 is temporarily storedinto the page memory 125. Further, the image data stored in the pagememory 125 is recorded into the HD 6 of the storage unit 5. If the imagedata of all the pages expanded by the RIP unit 8 and to be processed isrecorded into the HD 6, a job end notification of the image input job istransmitted to the session control task, and the image input job controltask ends.

In the step S610, the session control task receives the job endnotification from the image input job control task and performs endprocessing of the image input job. Namely, the job status (field) 1114of the job management table 1110 of the image input job ends.

In the above-described example, it is explained the PDL print session501 of FIG. 5 in which, according to the print setting by the PC/WS 11,the image information is transferred as the PDL data from the PC/WS 11,the PDL data is expanded into the image data by the image input/outputcontrol apparatus, and the obtained image data is print output. However,the above-described processing is also applicable to the copy session502 of FIG. 5 in which the image information read by the reader unit 1is print output.

Hereinafter, a second example of the session control and the job controlof the image input/output control apparatus in the case-where the HD 6normally operates will be explained with reference to FIG. 6. In thisexample, the control procedure of the image input job 411 whichconstitutes the session 502 of FIG. 5 will be explained. In this case,the image input job 411 is to sequentially record the image data read bythe reader unit 1 into the storage unit 5.

First, in the step S601, it is judged whether or not an operationkeybutton of the operation unit 9 for the function currently notinstalled in the apparatus is to be disabled. If the current setting ischanged, the setting to disable the corresponding keybutton is performedin the step S602 or the setting to release the disablement of thekeybutton in the step S611. Conversely, if the current setting ismaintained, then the flow advances to the step S603. It should be notedthat the instruction whether the operation keybutton is to be disabledis input by a predetermined keybutton operation in a service mode.

In the step S603, the body structure of the apparatus is detected toobtain installation information of the currently installed input/outputoptions (e.g., finisher 220, Z folding unit 226, puncher 223, etc.). Theobtained installation information is recorded into the job managementtable for managing the image input job.

In the step S604, it is judged whether or not the setting to disable theoperation keybutton of the operation unit 9 for the function currentlynot installed in the apparatus is performed. If judged that the settingis performed, the flow advances to the step S605 to perform thedisablement processing. Conversely, if judged that the setting is notperformed, the flow skips over the step S605 and advances to the stepS606.

In the step S606, a copy condition set by the user on the operation unit9 is accepted.

FIG. 8 shows the appearance of the operation unit 9. In the drawing,numeral 801 denotes a power supply key, numeral 802 denotes a preheatingkey, numeral 803 denotes a copy function selection key, numeral 804denotes a facsimile function selection key, numeral 805 denotes apersonal box function selection key, numeral 806 denotes a start key,numeral 807 denotes a stop key, numeral 808 denotes a reset key, numeral809 denotes an operation guidance key, numeral 810 denotes a user modesetting key, numeral 811 denotes an interruption copy key, numeral 812denotes numeric keys, numeral 813 denotes a clear key, numeral 814denotes a facsimile one-touch key, numeral 815 denotes a one-touch keychangeable template, and numeral 816 denotes a touch panel. The settingcontents for the copy operation are the number of copies, a sheet size,a magnification/reduction rate, one-face/two-face copy, a sort outputmode, stapling and the like. The user inputs such parameters by usingthe numeric keys 812 and the setting items displayed on the touch panel816. In this case, it is assumed that following parameters have been setin an example.

the number of copies: 10 copies . . . (C1)

one-face copy: yes . . . (C2)

sheet size: A4 . . . (C3)

magnification/reduction rate: 100% . . . (C4)

layout: no . . . (C5)

sort mode: yes . . . (C6)

stapling: yes . . . (C7)

Here, for example, it is assumed the case where the puncher 223 is notcurrently installed. In this case, if the disablement processing for theoperation keybutton is performed in the step S605, the screen displayedon the touch panel 816 of the operation unit 9 of the image input/outputcontrol unit 3 is as shown in FIG. 9. Conversely, if the disablementprocessing is not performed, the screen displayed is as shown in FIG.10. Namely, in the state of FIG. 9, the enabled operation keybuttons areshown by the outline characters on the colored background. Therefore,since the operation keybutton 901 for instructing the punchingprocessing is not shown by the outline characters, this screen indicatesthe state that the operation keybutton 901 is disabled, whereby it isimpossible to depress the keybutton 901. Conversely, in the state ofFIG. 10, the operation keybutton 1001 is displayed at the slightly lowdensity. This screen indicates the state that, even if the puncher 223is not currently installed, the setting for the punching processing ispossible by using the operation keybutton 1001.

In the explanation of this operation example, the setting not to disablethe keybutton on the operation unit 9 is performed whether the puncher223 is currently installed. Therefore, it is assumed that the settingfor the punching processing is performed on the screen shown in FIG. 10whether the puncher 223 is currently installed.

For this reason, in addition to the above-described copy parameters (C1)to (C7), a parameter (C8) indicating whether or not the punchingprocessing is to be performed is set as follows.

punching: yes . . . (C8)

After the above-described copy setting, the user puts the original onthe reader unit 1 and depresses the start key 806 to issue a copyinstruction. The operation unit 9 transfers the set parameters (C11) to(C8) to the CPU 123 of the core unit 10 to issue a processing request.

In the step S607, the core unit 10 divides an image processing functionof one unit according to the processing request from the operation unit9 into at least one image input job or one image output job. Then, inthe core unit 10, the session constituted by the image input job or theimage output job is generated and managed on the above-described sessionmanagement table 1100 shown in FIG. 11 to hold the various informationuntil the session ends.

In the session management table 1100, the session ID field 1101 is togenerate a unique session ID in the image input/output control apparatusand hold it. The session type field 1102 is to specify a type of thegenerated session (PDL print session, copy session, facsimiletransmission session, facsimile reception session, scan session, or thelike). In this operation example, the field 1102 specifies and recordsthe PDL print session. The session priority order field 1103 is to holdpriority of processing order of the session. The session status field1104 is to hold an execution state of the session (executable state,execution state, interruption state, end state, error state, or thelike) according to the state. The link job number field 1105 is to holdthe number of the image input jobs and/or the image output jobs whichtogether constitute the session. In this operation example, since thePDL print session 501 is constituted by the two jobs, i.e., the imageinput job 411 and the image output job 401, as shown in FIG. 5, thenumber “2” is set to the link job number field 1105. The first jobpointer field 1106 is the pointer for the job management table 1110 ofthe image input job 411. The second job pointer field 1107 is thepointer for the job management table 1130 of the image output job 401.

In the step S608, the job management table 1110 of the image input job411 is formed on the memory 124 to hold the various information untilthe job ends.

In the job management table 1110, the job ID field 1111 is to generate aunique job ID in the image input/output control apparatus and hold it.The job type field 1112 is to specify a type of the generated job(above-described image input job and image output job). In thisoperation example, the job type field 1112 specifies and records theimage input job 411 which is to sequentially record the image data readby the reader unit 1 into the storage unit 5. The job priority orderfield 1113 is to hold priority of job processing order. The job statusfield 1114 is to hold an execution state of the job (executable state,execution state, interruption state, end state, error state, or thelike) according to the state. The page number field 1115 is to hold thenumber of pages of the job. The page pointer field 1116 is the pointerfor the page management table 1120 in which detailed information of eachpage managed by the job has been written. The page management table 1120is recorded on the HD 6.

The job parameter field 1117 is to hold various setting parameters ofthe job. In this operation example, the contents of the copy settingparameters (C1) to (C8) accepted in the step S606 are held. Also, theapparatus information obtained in the step S603 is recorded into the jobparameter field 1117.

After the job management table 1110 of the image input job is formed,the session control task starts the image input job control task.

In the step S609, processing of the generated image input job (i.e., theimage input job 411 in the copy session 502 in this operation example)starts. Namely, the session control task instructs the image input jobcontrol task to start the job.

When the image input job control task receives the job start instructionfrom the session control task, it starts the instructed job if thereader unit 1 is not used by another image input job and a new imageinput job is acceptable.

In the image input job 411 of the copy session 502 according to thisoperation example, the one-page image data read by the reader unit 1 isfirst received. Namely, the image data is transferred from the readerunit 1 to the data processing unit 121 through the I/F 120. The imagedata transferred to the data processing unit 121 is temporarily storedinto the page memory 125. Further, the image data temporarily stored inthe page memory 125 is further recorded into the HD 6 of the storageunit 5.

Then it is judged whether or not the image data of all the pages read bythe reader unit 1 and to be processed is recorded into the HD 6. Ifjudged that the page not processed remains, the processing continues.Conversely, if judged that all the pages have been processed, a job endnotification of the image input job is transmitted to the sessioncontrol task, and the image input job control task ends.

In the step S607, the session control task receives the job endnotification from the image input job control task and performs the endprocessing of the image input job. Namely, the job status (field) 1114of the job management table 1110 of the image input job ends.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing procedures of the session control taskand an image output job control task to be executed by the CPU 123 inthe core unit 10 of the image input/output control apparatus in thepresent embodiment. Namely, FIG. 7 shows the control procedure of theimage output job 401 which sequentially outputs the image data stored inthe HD 6 of the storage unit 5 to the printer unit 2 in accordance withthe image input job control task explained in FIG. 6. In FIG. 7,numerals S701, S702, S703, S704, S705, S706, S707, S708, S709, S710,S711, S712, S713, S714, S715, S716 and S717 respectively denote steps.Further, the session control task and the image output job control taskare in multitasking relation.

First, in the step S701, if the option (e.g., finisher 220, Z foldingunit 226, puncher 223, or the like) to perform the print processingdesignated by the print parameters and the copy parameters accepted inthe above-described image input job control task does not currentlyexist in the apparatus, it is judged whether or not it is necessary tochange the setting of the method to cope with such a state. As itemscapable of being set in this method, if there is no desired apparatusstructure, following three modes are available:

(1) to change a current mode to an automatically executable image outputmode, and perform image output;

(2) to automatically stop image output; and

(3) to wait for a user's manual operation from the operation unit.

The user exclusively selects either of these three modes on theoperation unit 9 of the image input/output control unit 3.

If judged in the step S701 that it is necessary to change the setting ofthe method, the flow advances to the step S702 to recognize the mode ofthe method selected by the user and perform the mode setting. In thiscase, if the setting of the mode (2) is to be performed, also thesetting whether the corresponding job is to be deleted from the storageunit 5 is performed.

Conversely, if judged in the step S701 that it is unnecessary to changethe initial setting of the method, the flow skips over the step S702 andadvances to the step S703. In the step S703, the request of the imageoutput job (i.e., image printing) from the session control task isreceived. Since the image output processing is asynchronous with theabove-described image data input processing, it is possible to receivethe request immediately after the image data input processing isperformed, during the image data input processing, or after a certaintime passes from the end of the image data input processing.

In the step S704, the body structure of the apparatus is detected toobtain installation information of the currently installed input/outputoptions (e.g., finisher 220, Z folding unit 226, puncher 223, etc.).

In the step S705, on the basis of the installation information obtainedin the step S704 and the installation information recorded in the jobmanagement table at the image input time, it is judged whether or notthe body structure at the image input time is different from that at thepresent time. Further, on the basis of the judged result, it is judgedwhether the image output according to the method designated for therequested image output job is possible or impossible by the currentinstallation. If judged that the image output is possible, then theimage output processing in the step S708 and the subsequent steps isperformed. Conversely, if judged that the image output is impossible,the flow advances to the step S708 to determine what kind of processingis to be performed and perform the determined processing.

If judged in the step S705 that the image output according to the methoddesignated for the requested image output job is impossible by thecurrent installation, the flow advances to the step S706. If the modepreviously set in the step S702 is “to change the current mode to theautomatically executable image output mode, and perform image output”,the flow advances to the step S707. Then, optimum setting for thedesired setting is searched from the current body structure, andresetting of the output mode (i.e., the print parameters or the copyparameters) is automatically performed. For example, in theabove-described image input job, if the punching processing has beendesignated and the puncher 223 currently exists as the apparatusstructure, the image output job as being requested is performed withoutquestion. However, if the puncher 223 is not installed, the parameter todischarge the sheet without punching is automatically set as asubstitute, and the image output is performed.

In the step S708, the session control task forms the job managementtable 1130 of the image output job 401 shown in FIG. 11 on the memory124, in the same manner as in case of the job management table 1110 ofthe image input job 412, so as to hold various information until the jobends.

In the present embodiment, the print parameters (P1) to (P11) or thecopy parameters (C1) to (C8) such as the number of prints or copies, thesheet size, the magnification/reduction rate, the one-face/two-facecopy, the page output order, the sort output mode, the stapling and thelike accepted in the step S606 are held. If some substitutes areselected in the step S707 or in the later-described step S713, also theinformation concerning the selected substitute is held. After thesession control task forms the job management table of the image outputjob, it starts the image output job control task.

In the step S709, processing of the generated image output job 401starts. Namely, the session control task instructs the image output jobcontrol task to start the job.

When the image output job control task receives the job startinstruction from the session control task, it starts the instructed jobif the printer unit 2 is not used by another job and there is the statethat a new print can start.

Namely, the image data for each page recorded in the HD 6 issequentially read and transferred to the data processing unit 121through the I/F 120. The data processing unit 121 holds the transferredone-page image data on the image memory 125, and the image data held onthe image memory 125 is then transferred to the printer unit 2 throughthe I/F 122. The printer unit 2 performs the image formation accordingto the print parameters (P1) to (P11) or the copy parameters (C1) to(C8), and prints out the formed image.

Then it is judged whether or not the image data for each page recordedin the HD 6 and concerning the designated job is completely printed out.If judged that the page not processed remains, the processing continues.Conversely, if judged that all the pages have been processed desiredtimes, a job end notification of the image output job is transmitted tothe session control task, and the image output job control task ends.

In the step S710, the session control task receives the job endnotification from the image output job control task and performs the endprocessing of the image output job. Namely, the job status (field) ofthe job management table of the image output job ends.

In the step S711, the end processing of the session generated in theimage input processing is performed. Namely, the job management tablesof the image input job and the image output job and the image data foreach page in the page management table are cancelled to release theresources. Also, the session management table is cancelled to releasethe resources, and the serial processing ends.

Conversely, if judged in the step S705 that the image output accordingto the method designated for the requested image output job isimpossible by the current installation, and if judged in the step S706that the mode previously set in the step S702 is not “to change thecurrent mode to the automatically executable image output mode, andperform image output”, the flow advances to the step S712.

In the step S712, it is judged whether or not the mode previously set inthe step S702 is “to automatically stop the image output”. If judgedthat the mode is “to automatically stop the image output”, the flowadvances to the step S715 to notify the processing stop, and the sessionends.

If it is judged that the mode previously set in the step S702 is “towait for the user's manual operation from the operation unit”, the flowadvances to the step S713 to request the user to change the setting ofthe apparatus to be used. Namely, since the operation unit 9 of theimage input/output control unit 3 displays that it is necessary tochange the setting of the apparatus, the user changes the setting of theprint parameters (P1) to (P11) or the copy parameters (C1) to (C8) onthe operation unit 9 of the image input/output control unit 3 inaccordance with the displayed request. At this time, like FIG. 9, thekeybuttons which are disposed on the PC/WS 11 and the operation unit 9and correspond to the functions unusable in the current body structureare disabled to inhibit the setting of the apparatus incapable ofperforming the output. Further, in the manual setting in the step S713,it is possible to designate afresh the processing stop and whether ornot the job is to be deleted from the storage unit 5 in case of theprocessing stop.

In the step S714, it is judged whether or not the setting designated inthe step S713 is the processing stop. If judged that the setting is notto stop the processing, the flow advances to the step S708. In thisstep, like the case where the previously set mode is “to change thecurrent mode to the automatically executable image output mode, andperform image output”, the session control task forms the job managementtable 1130 of the image output job 401 shown in FIG. 11 on the memory124. Then, the processing of the generated image output job 401 starts.It should be noted that, in the memory 124, the areas for storing theabove-described session management table and the job management tableare nonvolatile.

Conversely, if judged in the step S714 that the setting designated inthe step S713 is to stop the processing, the flow advances to the stepS715. In this step, on the basis of the judgment that the set mode inthe step S712 is “to automatically stop the image output”, or inaccordance with the user's input in the step S713, the operation unit 9of the image input/output control unit 3 displays that the image outputprocessing is stopped, to notify the user of such the fact.

In the step S716, it is judged whether or not the stopped job is to bedeleted on the storage unit 5. Namely, if the mode “to automaticallystop the image output” is selected in the step S702, then it is furtherjudged whether or not it has been designated “to delete the job from thestorage if the image output is automatically stopped”. If judged that ithas been designated to delete the job, the flow advances to the stepS717 to delete the job from the storage unit 5.

If it is selected in the step S702 “to wait for the user's manualoperation from the operation unit”, if it is instructed from the user inthe step S713 to stop the image output, and if it is also designated inthe step S713 to delete the job in the storage unit 5, also the flowadvances to the step S717 to delete the job from the storage unit 5.

If it is judged in the step S716 not to delete the job, the processingis stopped as it is, and the flow waits for a new processing request forthe job.

In the above-described examples, the case where the image input/outputprocessing is performed through the HD 6 of the storage unit 5 has beenexplained. However, it is needless to say that the present invention issimilarly applicable to a case where the image input/output processingis performed without using the HD 6 but with use of, e.g., a part of thepage memory 125 of the data processing unit 121.

Further, the option which is used in the print processing being theobject of the above-described control is not limited to the finisher,the Z folding unit, the puncher or the like used in the presentembodiment. For example, it is needless to say that the above-describedcontrol is also applicable to other option equipments such as a two-faceprocessing unit which is used to invert the recording sheet and keep itwaiting for two-face printing, a sorter which sorts the recording sheet,or the like. Further, the present invention is also applicable to aninternal structure which is different from the option such as thefinisher or the like in the present embodiment.

As explained above, even if the body structure at the image input timeis different from that at the image output time, it is possible toselect one of the three methods to cope with such the case, i.e., themethod to change the means to the automatically executable image outputmeans without generating the error to stop the processing, the method tostop the image output processing, and the method to wait for the user'soperation from the operation unit to continue the processing, wherebythe apparatus can be effectively used. Further, when the image is input,the apparatus which is not installed at this time is disabled to inhibitthe setting from the operation unit, or conversely the job which usesthe function of the apparatus which is scheduled to be installed in thefuture but is not currently installed can be submitted, whereby it ispossible to perform the job which is suitable for the apparatusstructure.

Although the present invention has been explained by using the preferredembodiment, the present invention is not limited to the structure ofthis embodiment. Namely, it is needless to say that variousmodifications and changes are possible in the present invention withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image input/output apparatus comprising: inputmeans for inputting image data from at least one image input unit;storage means for storing the image data input by said input means;output means for outputting the image data stored in said storage meansto at least one image output unit; setting means for setting an imageprocessing content to be performed by said image output unit when theimage data is input by said input means; detection means for detecting astructure of said image output unit; restriction means for restrictingthe image processing content capable of being set by said setting means,in accordance with the detection output of said detection means; andselection means for previously selecting whether or not the settingrestriction of the image processing content is to be performed by saidrestriction means.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidselection means selects either of a first mode to enable setting of animage processing condition concerning a structure not detected by saiddetection means, or a second mode to inhibit the setting of the imageprocessing condition concerning the structure not detected by saiddetection means.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidsetting means comprises display means for displaying the setting-capableimage processing content and instruction means for instructing the imageprocessing content displayed by said display means, and said restrictionmeans restricts the image processing content displayed by said displaymeans and the image processing content capable of being instructed bysaid instruction means.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid detection means detects whether or not a detachable structure iscurrently installed in said image output unit.
 5. An image input/outputapparatus comprising: input means for inputting image data from at leastone image input unit; storage means for storing the image data input bysaid input means; output means for outputting the image data stored insaid storage means to at least one image output unit; setting means forsetting an image processing content to be performed by said image outputunit when the image data is input by said input means; detection meansfor detecting a structure of said image output unit when the image datais output by said output means; and judgment means for judging whetherthe image processing content set by said setting means is practicable ornonpracticable, according to the detection output of said detectionmeans, wherein, when it is judged by said judgment means that the imageprocessing content set by said setting means is nonpracticable, saidimage input/output apparatus operates in a first mode to stop the imageprocessing of the image processing content judged to be nonpracticable,and in a second mode to change the image processing content judged to benonpracticable to another image processing content and then perform theimage processing.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, furthercomprising selection means for selecting whether said image input/outputapparatus is to operate in said first mode or in said second mode.
 7. Anapparatus according to claim 5, wherein said second mode includes anautomatic mode to automatically change the image processing contentjudged to be nonpracticable to another image processing content, and amanual mode to change the image processing content judged to benonpracticable to another image processing content according to aninstruction of a user.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, furthercomprising selection means for selecting either of said automatic modeor said manual mode.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein saiddetection means detects whether or not a detachable structure iscurrently installed in said image output unit.
 10. An image input/outputmethod for an image input/output apparatus which inputs image data fromat least one image input unit, stores the input image data into storagemeans, and outputs the image data stored in the storage means to atleast one image output unit, said method comprising: a detection step ofdetecting a structure of the image output unit when the image data isinput from the image input unit; a setting step of setting an imageprocessing content to be performed by the image output unit when theimage data is input from the image input unit; a restriction step ofrestricting the image processing content capable of being set in saidsetting step, in accordance with the detection output of said detectionstep; and a selection step of previously selecting whether or not thesetting restriction of the image processing content is to be performedin said restriction step.
 11. A method according to claim 10, whereinsaid selection step selects either of a first mode to enable setting ofan image processing condition concerning a structure not detected insaid detection step, or a second mode to inhibit the setting of theimage processing condition concerning the structure not detected in saiddetection step.
 12. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:a display step of displaying the setting-capable image processingcontent; and an instruction step of instructing the image processingcontent displayed in said display step, and wherein said restrictionstep restricts the image processing content displayed in said displaystep and the image processing content capable of being instructed insaid instruction step.
 13. A method according to claim 10, wherein saiddetection step detects whether or not a detachable structure iscurrently installed in the image output unit.
 14. An image input/outputmethod for an image input/output apparatus which inputs image data fromat least one image input unit, stores the input image data into storagemeans, and outputs the image data stored in the storage means to atleast one image output unit, said method comprising: a setting step ofsetting an image processing content to be performed by the image outputunit when the image data is input from the image input unit; a detectionstep of detecting a structure of the image output unit when the imagedata is output to the image output unit; and a judgment step of judgingwhether the image processing content set in said setting step ispracticable or nonpracticable, according to the detection output of saiddetection step, wherein, when it is judged in said judgment step thatthe image processing content set in said setting step is nonpracticable,the image input/output apparatus operates in a first mode to stop theimage processing of the image processing content judged to benonpracticable, and in a second mode to change the image processingcontent judged to be nonpracticable to another image processing contentand then perform the image processing.
 15. A method according to claim14, further comprising a selection step of selecting whether the imageinput/output apparatus is to operate in said first mode or in saidsecond mode.
 16. A method according to claim 14, wherein said secondmode includes an automatic mode to automatically change the imageprocessing content judged to be nonpracticable to another imageprocessing content, and a manual mode to change the image processingcontent judged to be nonpracticable to another image processing contentaccording to an instruction of a user.
 17. A method according to claim16, further comprising a selection step of selecting either of saidautomatic mode or said manual mode.
 18. A method according to claim 17,further comprising a step of selecting either of said first mode or saidsecond mode.
 19. A method according to claim 14, wherein said detectionstep detects whether or not a detachable structure is currentlyinstalled in the image output unit.
 20. An image processing system whichstores image data input from at least one image input means into storagemeans, and outputs the image data stored in said storage means to atleast one image output means, said system comprising: setting means forsetting an image processing content to be performed by said image outputmeans when the image data is input from said image input means;detection means for detecting a structure of said image output means;restriction means for restricting the image processing content capableof being set by said setting means, in accordance with the detectionoutput of said detection means; and selection means for previouslyselecting whether or not the setting restriction of the image processingcontent is to be performed by said restriction means.
 21. A systemaccording to claim 20, wherein said selection means selects either of afirst mode to enable setting of an image processing condition concerninga structure not detected by said detection means, or a second mode toinhibit the setting of the image processing condition concerning thestructure not detected by said detection means.
 22. A system accordingto claim 20, wherein said setting means comprises display means fordisplaying the setting-capable image processing content and instructionmeans for instructing the image processing content displayed by saiddisplay means, and said restriction means restricts the image processingcontent displayed by said display means and the image processing contentcapable of being instructed by said instruction means.
 23. A systemaccording to claim 20, wherein said detection means detects whether ornot a detachable structure is currently installed in said image outputmeans.
 24. An image processing system which stores image data input fromat least one image input means into storage means, and outputs the imagedata stored in said storage means to at least one image output means,said system comprising: setting means for setting an image processingcontent to be performed by said image output means when the image datais input from said input means; detection means for detecting astructure of said image output means when the image data is output tosaid output means; and judgment means for judging whether the imageprocessing content set by said setting means is practicable ornonpracticable, according to the detection output of said detectionmeans, wherein, when it is judged by said judgment means that the imageprocessing content set by said setting means is nonpracticable, saidimage processing system operates in a first mode to stop the imageprocessing of the image processing content judged to be nonpracticable,and in a second mode to change the image processing content judged to benonpracticable to another image processing content and then perform theimage processing.
 25. A system according to claim 24, further comprisingselection means for selecting whether said image processing system is tooperate in said first mode or in said second mode.
 26. A systemaccording to claim 24, wherein said second mode includes an automaticmode to automatically change the image processing content judged to benonpracticable to another image processing content, and a manual mode tochange the image processing content judged to be nonpracticable toanother image processing content according to an instruction of a user.27. A system according to claim 26, further comprising selection meansfor selecting either of said automatic mode or said manual mode.
 28. Asystem according to claim 24, wherein said detection means detectswhether or not a detachable structure is currently installed in saidimage output means.